Time, Trains and the Total Picture

In Europe, I often travel by train. One day, I waited for a train – and waited – and waited – and waited some more. Over an hour after my arriving at the platform, the train finally showed up.

Although during that time there had been announcements over a loudspeaker, I couldn’t understand them. I don’t speak the local language. A friend showed up a few minutes before the train came and said she heard that there might be a strike on that day. That would explain the delay, of course, but if she had not said something, I still wouldn’t have any idea what had delayed the train. The problem was not only do I not speak the language. I was missing other essential facts. I didn’t have the big picture.

Only God has all the facts. In His wisdom, He knows what has led me to a point in my life. He knows where I am going. He is also aware of what is going on with those around me and how their lives intersect with mine.

He may give me clues along the way (like the public announcement on the platform), but He knows I will understand only so much. What He asks is that I trust Him to do what is right because He does have the big picture.

I am confident of God’s love. I love Him and I know He loves me. I don’t totally understand His ways but I trust Him. His perspective is based on His unlimited knowledge and His eternal plan.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).